Mary Ann Bardinas

“Sana maaga akong nagsimula.”

This was what “The Voice USA Season 26” champion and “Tawag ng Tanghalan” alumnus Sofronio Vasquez confessed as his greatest regret in life when asked during his interview in this episode of PUSH Bets. While many firmly believe that everything has its own timing, he apparently couldn’t help but ponder what could’ve happened to his career if he only started earlier by joining singing contests for kids and teens.

“Because I feel like I’m old enough. Medyo behind ako kaya araw-araw gusto kong mag-juggle, gusto kong magtrabaho kasi, kumbaga, hinahabol ko. At the end of the day, I am aging. Nadadagdagan ng nadadagdagan ‘yong taon ko,” he elaborated.

According to him, he had been so focused with school before, as he aimed to finish his degree in dentistry. While his interest and passion has been music, he still decided to take up the said program as his way of honoring one of his parents’ dream, which is for him to become a dentist. However, it was his brother who’s able to pursue it as a profession at present, so he’s just hoping that he will be stable enough and his music will speak for him until he’s able to practice it himself since being a dentist has also become his dream.

Despite already living the dream, Sofronio admitted that there are still instances when he gets lonely, particularly every time the thought of his beloved late father crosses his mind. It may have been already years ever since he left, the singer revealed that he hasn’t completely mourned for his dad yet. He believes that even though he will be given all the time in the world to do it, he’s never going to forget the pain of losing him for he has already learned how to live with it.

“Kaya kayo na nanonood, if you [still] have your parents, honor [them] and respect them, and don’t forget na magsabi ng ‘I love you’ kasi kapag wala na sila, wala ka nang chance,” he fervently reminded the viewers.

When asked for the part of his body that he finds the sexiest, he said that it’s probably his hands since he uses them every time he sings. He conveyed, “I want to believe na ito ‘yong magiging sexiest kasi, kumbaga, ito ‘yong magiging anchor ng musika ko.”

With regard to his biggest idol, it was a no-brainer that he would mention his “The Voice USA” coach, Canadian hitmaker Michael Buble, who’s now his mentor, friend, and even daddy figure. Thus, he considers their duet of The Miracles’ “Who’s Lovin’ You” during the finale of the reality competition his biggest personal victory aside from winning it.

“I would always tell this sa lahat ng interviews ko na before I was announced the winner, I already won before I won [because] dream ko talaga ‘yon. Kumbaga, peak talaga siya ng solo career ko…and I would always watch the video. Kinikilig talaga ako,” he related.

Meanwhile, if there’s one important thing that he’s been praying for, it’s none other than for him to “be at peace” or to achieve “inner peace” amidst the chaos and confusion in the world we’re in.

Aside from his singing skills and admirable personality, another thing that we love about Sofronio is how unafraid he is to become vulnerable in front of people. And among the things that never fail to make him emotional is whenever his family is brought up in any conversation, or whenever he dedicates a performance for them, which he wished his father is still able to see.

And lastly, if there’s something that he’s been desiring and manifesting to achieve, it’s for him to snag a recognition from the Recording Academy of the United States or GRAMMY Awards, one of the most prestigious international award-giving bodies for music.

Which among the fun facts that Sofronio bared about himself did you find the most interesting or surprising, Kapamilya?